Legislative changes over the last few years have resulted in a tighter regulatory framework around health and safety for all workers. Here at CEC we take Health and Safety seriously and have built our operational processes and procedures around the following legislation
Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
HSWA recognises that a well-functioning health and safety system relies on participation, leadership, and accountability by government, business and workers.
HSWA sets out the principles, duties and rights in relation to workplace health and safety.
A guiding principle of HSWA is that workers and others need to be given the highest level of protection from workplace health and safety risks, as is reasonable.
HSWA shifts the focus from monitoring and recording health and safety incidents to proactively identifying and managing risks so everyone is safe and healthy.
Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016
in New Zealand an estimated 170 people die of asbestos-related diseases each year making it the largest single cause of work related deaths.
In response, the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 (“Regulations”) were introduced and came fully into effect on 4 April 2018.
These regulations impose additional duties on Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (“PCBU”), including landlords, managers and tenants, in relation to work involving asbestos. This includes the obligation of managing and removal of asbestos risks to ensure the working environment is free of airborne asbestos fibres. Generally, if your building was built prior to 1 January 2000 it is more likely to have asbestos-containing material incorporated within it.
Under the Regulations, a PCBU who knows or ought to reasonably know that there is a risk of exposure to respirable asbestos fibres in the workplace must ensure that all asbestos or asbestos containing materials (“ACM”) are identified.
There are also additional regulations for the removal of asbestos and licensing of asbestos removalists.
BRANZ: New Zealand Guidelines for Assessing and Managing Asbestos in Soil (2017)
Asbestos or building materials containing asbestos can get into soil and can be a health risk if the fibres become airborne and people breathe them in. Although asbestos fibres do not break down or decompose, many common building materials that contain asbestos may slowly degrade in the soil. This can lead to asbestos fibres being released over time.
BRANZ have published two publications as a guide to a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and industry practitioners through the requirements and regulations for addressing asbestos in soil.